International news

U.K. warns Iran against blocking Strait of Hormuz

ValBrickates Kennedy

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- U.K. Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said Thursday that his nation would take military action if Iran tried to block traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest oil-shipping routes, according to U.K. broadcaster Sky News. "Our joint naval presence in the Arabian Gulf, something our regional partners appreciate, is key to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international trade," said Hammond, as quoted by Sky News. "It is in all our interests that the arteries of global trade are kept free, open and running. Disruption to the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz would threaten regional and global economic growth," Hammond added. Iran has been threatening to disrupt passage through the strait, which lies between Iran and Oman, in retaliation for a proposed EU embargo on its oil over suspicions it is actively developing nuclear weapons. The U.S. has already imposed economic sanctions on Iran.

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